Photo of Akka Rimon
Akka Rimon has seen firsthand how development can change lives. As the Country Liaison Officer for the World Bank in Kiribati she has coordinated large investments, including establishing permanent access to freshwater and creating infrastructure to accelerate connectivity speeds, among other developments that are overcoming the communication divide and improving living standards in her country.
What was your childhood like?
I had a very happy childhood. I was born and raised in Fiji but spent much of my time in Kiribati. My father went to study in Australia, so I lived there for a while too.
Music played a central role in my life. I grew up in a gospel-singing family. Every day, we would sit around, play the guitar, and sing. I try and keep up with the tradition. Whenever I feel stressed, music always helps me move forward.
I grew up in the radio era. Everything was about radio – no TV, no internet. I would wake up each morning and listen to the BBC news – it taught me a lot about the world around me. I also had a favorite American music show that came on every Sunday. It was called the ‘Rick Dees Weekly Top 40’. As a girl growing up on a remote island, both shows provided a link for me to the outside world. Often times I wished I was a music star; other times I wanted to be a newsreader and I loved being the first to know the news as it happened. Radio was my world; it’s like traveling. The shows took me on an adventure.
How would you describe Kiribati to someone who knows little about it?
There are a lot of interesting facts about Kiribati that not everyone knows. We’re the first country in the world that sees the sunrise every day. We’re also often referred to as a ‘small island nation’, but, in reality, we’re a big ocean state. We cover a vast ocean area roughly the size of the US continent. We’re the only country in the world that spans four hemispheres at one time, and we’re positioned at the intersection of the international dateline and the equator. In Kiribati, the weather is summer all year round. The people are friendly and kind. We are the happiest people on earth regardless of how much or little we have.
What has been your career highlight so far?
There are three main highlights. The first is becoming the Government of Kiribati Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration and Chief Foreign Relations Advisor. It put me in the center of the policymaking process. I would not be with the World Bank had it not been for that exposure.
The second is joining the World Bank. What makes the World Bank tick is its ability to mobilize multimillion-dollar investments that can also leverage co-financing by other partners. There’s nothing more exciting than working for an organization that helps governments fast-track their growth. It is something that I’m deeply passionate about and I’ve seen how it positively changes lives here in Kiribati.
The third highlight is being awarded a Ph.D. scholarship at the Australian National University. Later this year, I will be researching how labor mobility could provide an option for economic adaptation to climate-induced displacement for Kiribati. I am deeply grateful. I know it’s up to me to turn this opportunity into a success.
What challenges have you experienced working in development in Kiribati?
Too often, during my 15 years of working with the Government, I see international development organizations that bring projects to Kiribati, but when the team leaves, they leave with all their capabilities. In other words, nothing is done to transform the actual government systems that we want to improve. It doesn’t empower the team or improve institutional capacity overall. When I witnessed this, I said, "No, we cannot work like this. I want you to break the walls, work with us, let us use your equipment, teach us how to use them."
However, since joining the World Bank, my work has helped me appreciate that this is more challenging than meets the eye. I’ve helped our team implement a lot of complex projects on the ground. It can be really difficult to get local capacity up to speed, especially if it involves educating an entire workforce. Also, Kiribati custom encourages us to be quiet when a foreigner speaks, because there is an assumption they know better. It is a challenge that we still have to address.
How has the World Bank's program changed in Kiribati over recent years?
The World Bank’s program has grown significantly. The size of its Kiribati portfolio used to be around US$5 million, yet, when I joined in 2016, it had grown to US$66 million.
No doubt the relationship will continue to grow and strengthen. The bottom line for the World Bank, and for me personally, is how these programs will translate into impact. I’ve seen how it has led to a massive transformation for us, a small island state.
What is your vision for Kiribati's future?
One day, I would like to see Kiribati stand on its own without having to rely on aid. A big part of my interest in working with the government and with the World Bank is about building resilience. I keep asking myself, “Can Kiribati be less dependent on aid?” I want the government to be self-reliant, innovative, and capable of building resilience against all threats, whether they be social, economic, or environmental.
I also want to see all young people educated and employed. Unemployment among our growing young populations is an issue across the Pacific. We need to tailor the education system to skills young people need to survive outside of school. Not only in academic areas but in basic life skills, especially in business and entrepreneurial activities that are demand-driven and connect to jobs. This not only empowers youth but also helps them adapt in this increasingly changing world. I see that this generation has a lot of talented young people. They’re speaking up, chasing their dreams, and making footprints on the ground.
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